Store front bar construction



Dec. 9, 1952 M. KETCHUM, JR STORE FRONT BAR CONSTRUCTION' 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 14, 194e Dec. 9, 1952 M. KETCHUM, JR 2,620,525

STORE FRONT BAR CONSTRCTIQN Filed Dec. 14, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. KETCHUM, JR

STORE FRONT BAR CONSTRUCTION Dec. 9, 1952 3 Sheets-'Sheet 5 Filed DSO. 14, 1946 I' em@ JP.

Patented Dec. 9,1952

UNITED STATES STORE FRONT BAR CONSTRUCTION Application December 14, 1946, Serial No. '716,265

(Cl. 2li-56.3)

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in metal store fronts and particularly to bars for mounting plate glass windows. The contours or shapes of plate glass store fronts vary considerably, depending on the architectural themes and on the space available at different stores and locations. In such store fronts there is provided a plate glass setting, arranged horizontally for supporting the plate glass from the bottom and for securing it in place at the top. Such fronts also generally include vertically-arranged metal bars for positioning contiguous vertical edges of the plate glass windows. These are known as division, corner and reverse bars and my invention specifically relates to improvements in division, corner and reverse bars.

Bars heretofore manufactured are suitable only for mounting plate glass windows at one predetermined angle and were not adapted to perform the function of resiliently but firmly securing the glass plates at different angles in conformity to various store front designs. For example, division bars are conventionally designed to hold the vplates at one hundred and eighty degrees, corner bars at ninety degrees (interior angle) and reverse bars: at ninety degrees (exterior angle). But the front lines of various store fronts are not always premised on these three angles. The store fronts vary greatly as to the desired angular relationship between adjoining plates, depending on available space, the architecture of the building, and many other factors. In order to make any real approach to meeting these various requirements of angularity, the manufacturer has heretofore been compelled to produce and carry in stock a large selection of corner bars, a large selection of reverse bars and a large selection of division bars, each designed to secure Window plates at only one fixed angle. Alternatively, special bars must be designed and made for specific store fronts.

It is an object of my invention to provide improvements in division bars, corner bars and reverse bars for plate glass store fronts which permit the plate glass windows to be positioned with a Wide range of angular relationship and at the same time are adapted firmly but resiliently to support and grip the vertical margins of plate glass sto-re front Windows near their contiguous vertical edges in any position desired throughout this range to t the front lines of the particular store. The accomplishment of this object permits the bar requirements; of all types of store fronts to be met with but three standard manufactured lines, with great resultant savings in engineering and production costs, production costs and inventory cost-s, and great resultant economies to the user.

lit is an object of the invention.v to provide improved corner bar, division bar and reverse bar constructions which are suitable to the individual needs of every store front, that is, bars which not only permit the securing of plates at the conventional ninety and one hundred and eightly degree angles, but which have sufcient flexibility to hold the plates at other angles Within a wide range. In the illustrative embodiments herein shown, the division bar construction secures glass plates at angles of incidence ranging from one hundred and eighty to one hundred sixty-five degrees, and the corner bar and reverse bar constructions herein shown secure plates at angles ranging from ninety degrees to one hundred and sixty-five degrees.

As indicated, it is an essential requirement of bar constructions that they yieldably but firmly grasp the window plates in a Weather-tight fashion. This essential requirement conflicts with the desired characteristic of angular flexibility to which this invention is directed. The present invention reconciles these conflicting requirements. rlhe window plates are secured, in accordance With the invention, in any desired angular relationship within a Wide range and in a Weather-tight, firm but elastic manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved bar constructions by which the window plates are yieldably and resiliently, yet firmly so secured that the plates may expand and contract with` temperature changes and withstand the strong forces of high-velocity winds and vibratory influences.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a bar construction whereby the window plates may rapidly be secured in or removed from position, a construction which at once is simple, strong, and attractive in appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bar construction in which the face lugs are slidably and adjustably but firmly secured in position relative to the face piece during store front assembly, so that the face lugs need not be manually held while the interior members and exterior members are fastened together.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable face lug which automatically remains in any desired longitudinal position with respect to the face piece.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bar construction satisfying all of the requirements of elasticity, strength, flexibility and economy, while at the same time concealing the fastening members from the public.

Other objects and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings in which there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, with the window plates broken away, showing the general arrangement of a typical store front-including division, corner and reverse bars in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figs. 3, e, corner bar shown in Fig. l taken, respectively, on line 3 3 of 2, line s t of Fig. 3 and line 5 5 of Fig. 2, line t of 1Fig. 3 and line 8 8 of Fig. 4, looking in the directions of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a front View of parts of the Fig. i corner bar, showing the vface lug in position to be pushed downwardly and adjustably secured to theface piece; and

Fig. '9 is a perspective View showing how the corner'bar is secured to its bracket.

Referring now specically to Fig. l, there is shown a store front construction comprising a suitable glass-setting device il, glass plate windows 12,13, ifi and i5, a division bar Iii, acorner bar i'i and a reverse bar 8. The window plates are fragmentarily shown. The glass-setting device ,l `l is'conventional and preferably includesza face-molding I S, a suitable glass-supporting block 2B and an interior gutter member 2 i. The invention withV which thisl application is concerned relates and is shown in the division bar i5, the corner-bar li'and the reverse bar i8.

Each of the bars comprises an individual face piece 2li-or Z5, a pair of face lugs Z-'i, 28 29, and Sil-3l (2Q being shown in Fig. 3 2?, 3'! 'being not shown'but identical tc 2t, 3S, respectively), an individual back spring member 32, 33 yor 3d and anindividual reinforcement or stiffener member S5, 3S or Si. The numerals 23, 26, 32, '-35 pertain to'division bar it; the numerals 24,- 28, 33, 3@ relateto corner bar i? and the numerals 25, 35,34, 3i apply to partsof the reverse bar-I3.` Lugs 2l and .3! are not specifically shown rbut they are identical to lugs and 3i), respectively, and bear the same positional relationship to lugs 26 3S as does lug 29 to lug 28 (Fis. 3).

Face piece 23 is formed of sheet metal, preferably aluminum, and has a generally straight cross-section. The sides of the face piece are reversibly-bent and terminate in flanges defining `channels 39, 4s for the interlocking engagement of face lug. 2t with the face piece. The anges exteriorly provide curvedlips 1li, ll against which the plates l2, i3 abut., Eacepiece 2-5 is generally curvilinear-,in crossfsection, the center of Ycurvature ,being intheinterior ofthe store front.. VIt is likewise formed with flanges defining curved glass-abutting lips 43, es and channels a5, i6 for interlocking `engagement with face lug 28. Face. piece 25 is generally curvilinear in crosssection, the center of curvature, however, being on the exterior of the store front. t also has side flanges defining curved glass-abutting lips d'1, i3 and channels tit, till for interlocking engagement with face lug 3d. Face pieces 2Q and 25 are valso preferably made of sheet aluminum.

5, 6 and 8 are sectional views. of the* The legs of reinforcement members 35, 35 and 3l, respectively, are seated adjacent to shoulders 5I 52, 53-561 and 55-56 of spring members 32, 33 and 3d, respectively, and abut the ledge portions of the back springs, nrmly clamping the spring members in position. The face pieces 23, 24 and 25 are drawn inwardly by face lugs 25-2?, 228-29 and 35-34, respectively. The reinforcement members, face pieces and back spring members are of preferably the same length. The reinforcement members, back spring members and face lugs are preferably made of steel, sheet aluminum and sheet stainless steel, respectively.

Eachofthebars I5, il and i8 is secured to the upstanding V4portion of its individual generally L- shaped lmounting-bracket 58, 5s or til, respectively,-b.y.ascrew6i, Si or S3, respectively (Fig. 2), and the mounting bracket base portions are secured to the jamb dfi by screws {i5-66, 'i-ii, G9 is, respectively. Fig. 9 shows the detailed assembly of bar il and bracket 59, for example. The other bars and brackets are similarly arranged;

It' will be understood that bars i5, li and IS are generally similar, the differences between them being attributable to the different ranges of angular `relationships at which the various plates area-rranged; Thebarshave generic features-which are rspecifically described in the following detailed description of the corner bar il.

'Referring now specifically to Fig. 5, it'will be noted that lips 63 and te have curved surfaces in abutment with vplates i3y andA ifi, respectively. Back-.spring member 33 is Vformed with a central longitudinal rectangular U-shaped channel 'ii for slidably receiving the complementary rearwardly extending drawing portion 'i2 of face lug 2S. The -baclr spring is formed also with two integral ledges or abutment portions 73 and 14 against which the sides of generally U-shaped reinforcement member abut as member 38 straddles'channel portion li. The margins, of spring-member 33 are bent rearwardly through ninety degrees to forni shoulders 555 and 5d and ,then bent forwardly and through a curve on the order of two hundred and forty degrees to define resilient rolled spring portions 'i5 and l5.

Spring portions i5 and 'i6 yieldably, elasticaily and resiliently, yet rmly, abut plates i3 and iii, respectively, their exterior curved surfaces contacting the plates. Curved lips 43 and lili of face piece 223 also abut plates i3 andil Plate i3 is elasticallyyet firmly gripped between lip 43 and spring roll iii. Plate .iti is elastically yet rmly gripped between lip i4 and spring roll it. These conditions prevail, whether the plates i3 and I4 are at ninety degrees to each other, or seine other interior angle between ninety and one hundred and. sixty-rive degrees, due to the backspring rolls andthe curved face-piece lips and the-balance of forces. Fig. 2 shows in dashed outlines the conditions which exist when the planes cf the'plates are at one hundred and siXty-iive degreesto each other. This-corner bar construction-is perfectly balanced so that the compressive stresses between` elements 151, it, and 43, 'l5 are equalised, whether the angle between the plates is ninety degrees or of greater value. Regardless yof their angular relationship the plates are weather-tightly held, within limits of this order, in a manner which enables them to withstand'high winds and vibration strains and by a device having a pleasing exterior appearance, the fastening parts being concealed from outside view.

Resiliency is further introduced at other points between the face lug and the back spring by the elastic wings of the face lugs, for example, wings I8 and 'I9 of lug 28. These wings, theroll springs l5 and 76 and the lips 43 and 44 cooperate to eliminate glass breakagev and other undesired eects of dynamic and static shock.

Reference is now made specifically to 3, 4, 7 and 8 in describing the construction of lugs 28 and 29, which are substantially identical. Face lug 28 is formed with a central substantially rectangular U-shaped drawing portion l2 and the integral resilient wing portions i8 and 19. The fastening screw 88 is protected by sides 8l and 82 of draw portion 'l2 and by the integral flaps 83 and 84 of side 8i. The outer edges of these fiaps abut wall 82 and maintain walls 8i and 82 in spaced relationship. Rear wall 85 of the lug has two integral forwardly extending tongues 88 and 8l having opposed ends adapted to form a threaded opening 88 for receiving the complementary threads cut on the shank of screw V88. Projecting upwardly and outwardly from the face lug and toward the front are integral resilient tangs 89 and 98, which compressively bear against the inner wall of face piece 2d (Fig. 8) to maintain lug 28 in any desired longitudinal position relative to the face piece. This feature hasimportant advantages in that undesired slipping of the lugs during assemby or installation is prevented and in that undesired slipping of the face p-iece after installation is restrained.

The construction and operation of lug 29 are the same as those of lug 28, except that lug 2:3 preferably has downwardly extending tangs.

In describing the method of assembly of cornerbar Il, it will be assumed that plates i3 and i4, jamb 64, bracket 59, base 28 and setting members i9 and 2l are in place. The wings of lugs 28 and 29 are slipped onto face piece 2:3 in the manner shown in Fig. 7. Lug 29 is preferably slipped onto the other end of the face piece, since its tangs project downwardly. Lug 28 is so positioned that threaded opening 88 will register with apertures 8| and 92 in the back spring t3 and reinforcement member 35, respectively (Fig. 3). Lug 2S is also properly positioned. Then the subassembly of lugs and facepiece is placed in the Fig. 1 position, the resilient tangs of the lugs holding them in position relative to the face piece and minimizing the labor cost of performing this operation. Next, the snbassembly of reinforcement member 38, back spring member 33 and screws 88, 93 is placed into the Fig. l position. When the screws are turned, the face lugs and face piece are drawn to the rear and the back spring and reinforcement member are pushed to the front by the ianged screw heads. The threads on the shank of screw d, for example, engage the equivalent nut formed by elements 86, 8l, 88 (Fig. 7). The tensile forces are transmitted from the screw shanks to the drawing portions, then out through the resilient wings to the face piece, then through its lips to the front of the plates, whereby the plates are exteriorly pushed inwardly. The compressive forces are transmitted from the screw heads to reinforcement member 3e, then through the back spring 33 and its resilient spring rolls l5 and l5 to the rear of the plates, whereby the plates are `pushed. interiorly outwardly. it should be noted that the reinforcement member "t exerts balanced forces against the resilient ledge portions 'i3 and "and of the back spring 38 whereby balanced clamping forces are exerted against the interior sides ofV the plates. Drawing portion 12 is symmetrically arranged with respect to the lips 43, 44, whereby balanced clamping forces are exerted against the exterior sides of the plates. This balance is retained over a wide range of variation of the relative angle of the plates. Drawing portion l2 of the lug 28 is slidable in but embraced by channel 'il and this factor tends to maintain the desired perfect symmetry of forces.

When the corner bar is in place, it is secured to bracket 58 by screw 62. Alternately, of course, the members 59, 82, 36, 33 may be first placed in position, the subassembly of members 24, 28, and 2S then placed in position, and screws 80, 93 then drawn up. Disassembly is equally facile and the tangs yieldably permit withdrawal of the face lugs from the face piece.

The vertical height of each face lug is small with respect to the corresponding dimension of members 36, 33 and 24, yet the compressive forces of lips t3, 84 and spring rolls l5, T5 against the plates are well distributed.

All adjustments of the screws 88 and 93 are performed from the interior, but the face piece substantially conceals the fastening elements from theexterior view.

All of the aforementioned advantages are achieved while face piece 24 affords a pleasing, harmonious and attractive appearance.

As is apparent from an inspection of the drawings, the following generic features of the corner bar construction are incorporated in the division and reverse bars: the curved lips bearing on the outside of the plates, the face lugs adjustably slidable in the face pieces, the full protection of the screws by the sides of the face lug drawing portions and integral flaps, the t-angs for securely but adjustably positioning the face lugs, the resilient curved spring rolls of the back spring bearing on the inside of the plates, the resilient wings of the face lugs, the balanced bearing of the reinforcement members on the resilient rear ledges of the back spring, the central channel portion of the back spring embracing the projecting drawing portion of the face lug, the adjustable drawing screws, the rapid and Veconomical method of assembly, the balanced stress of the face lug wings on the face piece lips, and the general conformity of the resilient wing shapes to the architectural form of the face piece. In particular, the face piece of each bar has curved glass-abutting surfaces, and the back-spring of each bar has curved resilient glass-abutting spring rolls.

A metallic cylinder 85 acts as a guide for the adjusting screw 88 (Fig. 2), lining up the holes through which the screw passes in members 35 and 32, thus facilitating installation, where desired.

These bar structures are strong and durable and not susceptible to buckling. The reinforcement members 35, 35 and 31 prevent buckling and lend uniform support to the bars, also aiding in effecting a uniform distribution of the gripping forces acting on the glass plate windows.

While there have been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferrea embodiments of the present invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made without departing from the teachings of the invention and the proper scope thereof and it is accordingly intended in the appendedclaims to cover all such changes and modiiications as fall within the true scope of the invention and outside of the scope of the prior art.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A store front bar for resiliently yet firmly clamping and holding a pair of contiguous window plates throughout a wide range of angular positions, comprising in combination, an exterior face piece member formed with doubled-back side edges defining lchannels and curved glassclamping surfaces, one of said surfaces abutting the exterior of one of said plates and the other of said surfaces abutting the exterior of the other of said plates, an interior back-spring member formed with a central rectangular longitudinal channel and ledge portions on each side of said channel and rolled margins defining curved resilient glass-clamping surfaces, one of said surfaces abutting the interior of one of said piates and the other of said surfaces abutting the interior of the other of said plates, an interio'r rigid reinforcement member dis-posed behind said back-spring member and formed with a central portion and integral legs abutting said ledge portions, a bifurcated face .lug formed with a central drawing portion slidable in but embraced by the walls of said longitudinal channel of'said back-spring member and symmetrically arranged resilient wings individually slidably secured in said face-piece channels, and means adjustably connecting said face lug and said reinforcement member for drawing together said face piece 'and said back spring member, which thereupon resiliently but firmly hold said window plates between'said clamping surfaces.

2; A store iront bar for clamping and holding a pair of window plates in angular relationship comprising an exterior face member, an interior back spring member Vformed with a central longitudinal channel and spring rolls on each side of lsaid channel, one of said rolls being adapted to spring grip the interior of one of said plates automatically throughout a wide'range of varying angular positions, and the other of said rolls being adapted resiliently to spring grip the interior of the other of said plates automatically throughout a wide range of varying angular positions, an interior rigid reinforcement member disposed adjacent to said back-spring member, a face lug formed with a central drawing portion' slidable in but embraced by the walls of said longitudinal channel of said back spring member and with symmetrically arranged wings interlocked with said face-piece, and means adjustably connecting said face lug and said reinforcement member for drawing together said facepiece and said back spring member for rmly spring gripping contiguous plates of glass throughout a wide range of Varying angular positions of the glass plates.

3. A store front corner bar for resiliently yet rmly clamping and holding a pair of contigiious window plates through a wide range of' angular positions between ninety and one hundred and sixty-five degrees comprising a curved exterior face piece member disposed with its convex surface toward the exterior and formed with doubled back side edges defining channels and curved lglass-clamping surfaces, one of said surfaces abutting the exterior of one of said plates and the other of said surfaces abutting the exterior of the other of said plates, an interior back-spring member formed with a central rectangular longitudinal channel and ledge portions on each side of said channel and rolled margins defining curved resilient glass-clamping surfaces, one of said surfaces abutting the interior of one of said plates and the other of said surfaces abutting the interior of the other of said plates, an interior rigid reinforcement member disposed behind said back-spring member and formed with a central portion and integral legs abutting said ledge portions, a bifurcated face lug formed with a central drawing portion slidable in but embraced by the walls of said longitudinal channel of said back spring member and symmetrically arranged resilient wings individually slidably secured in said face-piece channels, and means adjustably connecting said face lug and said reinforcement member for drawing together said face piece and said back-spring member, which thereupon resiliently but rmly hold said window plates between said clamping surfaces at any angular position within said range.

4. A store front reverse bar for resiliently yet firmly clamping and holding a pair .of contiguous window plates throughout a wide range of angular positions between ninety and one hundred and sixty-ve degrees comprising a curved exterior face piece member disposed with its concave surface toward the exterior and formed with doubled back side edges defining channels and curved glass-clamping surfaces, one of said surfaces abutting the exterior of one of said plates and the other of said surfaces abutting the exterior of the other of said plates, an interior back-spring member formed with a central rectangular longitudinal channel and ledge portions on each side of said channel and rolled margins defining curved resilient glass-clamping surfaces, one of said surfaces abutting the interior of one of said plates and the other of said surfaces abutting the interior of the other of said plates, an interior rigid reinforcement member disposed behind said back-spring member and formed with a central portion and integral legs abutting said ledge portions, a bifurcated face lug formed with a central drawing portion slidable in but embraced by the walls of said longitudinal channel of said back spring member and symmetrically arranged resilient wings individually slidably secured in said face-piece channels, and means adjustably connecting said face lug and said reinforcement member for drawing together said face piece and said back-spring member, which thereupon resiliently but rmly hold said window plate between said clamping surfaces and in predetermined adjusted angular relation within said range.

5. A store front division bar for resiliently yet iirmly clamping and holding a pair of contiguous window plates throughout a wide range of angular position between one hundred and eighty and one hundred and sixty-five degrees comprising a planar exterior face piece member formed with doubled back side edges defining channels and curved glass-clamping surfaces, one of said surfaces abutting the exterior of one of said plates and the other of said surfaces abutting the exterior of the other of said plates, an interior back-spring member formed with a central rectangular longitudinal channel and ledge portions on each side of said channel and rolled margins defining curved resilient glass-clamping surfaces, one of said surfaces abutting the interior of one of said plates and the other of said surfaces abutting the interior of the other of said plates, an interior rigid reinforcement member disposed behind said back-spring member and formed with a central portion and integral legs abutting said ledge portions, a bifurcated face lug formed with Y a central drawing portion slidable in biitzenbraced by the walls of said longitudinal channel of said back spring member and symmetrically arranged resilient wings individually slidably secured in said face-piece channels, and screw means adjustably connecting said faceV lug and said reinforcement member for drawing together said face piece and said back-spring member, which thereupon resiliently but firmly hold said window plates between said clamping surfaces and in'predetermined adjusted angular relation withinsaid range.

6. A store front bar construction adapted for holdingcontiguous edges of large plates of glass throughout a wide range of angular positions comprising, in combination, a rigid interior supporting member consisting of .a hollowv metal rail havinga rear wall portion, va pair of opposite side walls integral therewith and extending forwardly therefrom in spaced relationship with each other and terminating in a front wall comprising a pair of inwardly extending flanges integral with the side walls and lying in a common plane, but spaced apart to form an open central slot of width substantially less than the width of the rail; an inner spring clamping strip disposed along the front wall of the rail with a pair of spaced apart shoulders rearwardly offset exteriorly of the side walls and adjacent thereto, with open cylindrical spring bearing portions extending outwardly from the shoulders and curving inwardly at the marginalv edges of said strip to engage the inner surfaces of the glass plates continuously throughout a wide range of varying angular positionsv of the glass, and a central channel portion of said spring clamping strip extending into the slot in the forward wall of the rail in interlocking relation therewith; an outer clamping strip disposed forwardly of said rail and inner strip and having reverse bends forming internal slide grooves and exterior convexly curved clamping surfaces along its marginal edges, with said convexly curved clamping surfaces being constructed and arranged to engage the exterior surfaces of the glass plates continuously throughout a corresponding range of angular positions; a plurality of spring lugs spaced apart from each other along said outer clamping strip; said lugs each having wing portions slidably engaging the slide grooves of the outer clamping strip and including additional friction means securing the lugs in fixed position thereon; with a narrow central channel portion on each of said spring lugs extending between the contiguous edges of the glass plates and into the channel of the inner clamping strip in interlocking relationship therewith to prevent relative lateral shifting of the inner and outer clamping strip.

7. A store front bar construction adapted fo holding contiguous edges of large plates of glass throughout a wide range of angular positions comprising, in combination, a rigid interior supporting member comprising a hollow metal rail having a rear wall portion, a pair of opposite side walls integral therewith and extending forwardly therefrom in spaced relationship with each other and terminating in front surfaces lying in a common plane, but spaced apart to form an open central recess at the front of the rail; an inner spring clamping strip disposed along the front of the rail with open cylindrical spring bearing portions on its marginal edges constructed and arranged to engage the inner surfaces of the glass plates continuously through- 10 Y out a wide range of varying angular positions of the glass', and a central channel portion of said springclamping strip centrally positioned with respect tothe rail and extending rearwardly into the recess thereof; with the width of the channel in said strip substantially less than-the width of the rail; an outer clamping strip disposed forwardly of said rail and inner strip and having reverse bends forming internal slide grooves and exterior convexly curved clamping surfaces along its marginal edges, with said convexly curved clamping surfaces constructed and arranged to engage the exterior surfaces of the glass plates continuously throughout a corresponding range of angular positions, with a plurality of spring lugs spaced apart from each other along said outer clamping strip; said lugs each vhaving wing portions slidably engaging the slide grooves Vof the outer clamping strip and including additional frictional means securing the lugs in fixed position thereon; with a narrow central channel portion on each of said spring lugs extending between the contiguous edges of the glass plates and into the channel of the inner clamping strip in interlocking relationship therewith to prevent relative lateral shifting of the inner and outer clamping strips.

S. In a store front bar construction adapted for holding contiguous edges of large plates of glass throughout a wide range of angular positions, the subcombination of an interior bar assembly comprising a hollow metal rail having a rear wall portion, a pair of opposite side walls integral therewith-and extending forwardly therefrom in spaced relationship with each other and terminating in a yfront wall comprising a pair of inwardly extending flanges integral with the side walls and lying in a common plane, but spaced apart to form an open central slot of width substantially less than the width of the rail; an inner spring clamping strip disposed along the front wall of the rail with open cylindrical spring bearing portions on its marginal edges constructed and arranged to engage the inner surfaces of the glass automatically throughout a wide range of varying angular positions of the glass, and a central channel portion of said spring clamping strip extending into the slot in the forward Wall of the rail in interlocking relation therewith; with perforations spaced at intervals along the rear wall portion of the rail and perforations in the channel portion of the clamping strip in registry therewith, and a tubular guide sleeve extending from each of the perforations in the rail to the corresponding perforation in the channel to facilitate the insertion of fastening screws therethrough.

9. A store front bar for clamping and holding a pair of contiguous window plates throughout a wide range of angular positions comprising an exterior face member, an interior back spring member formed with a central longitudinal channel and ledge portions on each side of said channel and margins shaped to define open cylindrical glass-clamping springs, one of said springs being adapted to abut the interior of one of said plates and the other of said springs being adapted to abut the interior of the other of said plates, an interior rigid reinforcement member of thickness greatly exceeding the thickness of the interior back spring member and disposed adjacent to said back-spring member and formed with a central portion and integral legs abutting said ledge portions, a face lug formed with a central drawing portion slidable 11 in but embraced by the walls of said longitudinal channel of said back spring member and symmetrically arranged wings nterlocked with said face-piece, and means adjustably connecting said face lug and said reinforcement member for drawing together said face piece and said back spring member for the purpose set forth.

10. A device'for drawing together the exterior and interior clamping members of a store front bar comprisingr a single sheet metal face lug formed with a rear wall portion, forwardly eX- tending side wall portions terminating in wings adapted to be interlocked with the exterior clamping member, a screw projecting through said rear wall portion and engaging it to draw said face lug toward the interior clamping member, and integral naps projecting from one of said side wall portions to the other side wall portion on both sides of said screw, whereby to protect said screw and maintain the rigidity of the side walls.

11. A store front bar construction adapted for holding contiguous edges of large plates of glass throughout a wide vrange of angular positions, comprising in combination, a rigid supporting member, an inner clamping member having a channel member extending into the rigid support for locking it with the rigid support against horizontal movement and having open cylindrical spring bearing members adapted to engage one surface of contiguous plates of glass and to continuously afford a spring gripping action on the glass throughout a wide range of varying angular positions of the glass, an outer spring clamping member adapted to continuously aord a spring gripping action on the outer surface of the glass plates throughout the corresponding wide range of varying angular positions o1 the glass in cooperation with the said inner clamping member, a spring connecting member slidably contacting at its ends with said outer clamping member, and provided with an intermediate channel adapted to extend between spaced edges of the contiguous plates of glass and nt into the said first mentioned channel member, and means connecting the rigid support and the said intermediate channel for drawing the connecting member toward the rigid support for tightly spring gripping the glass throughout a wide range of varying angular positions of the glass.

' 12. A store front bar construction adapted for holding contiguous edges of large plates of glass throughout a wide range of angular positions, comprising in combination, a rigid supporting member, an inner clamping member having means for locking it and the rigid support against relative horizontal movement and having open cylindrical spring bearing members adapted to engageA one surface of contiguous plates of glass andV to continuously afforda'spring gripping action on the glass throughout awide range of varying angular positions ofthe glass, an outer spring clamping member adapted to continuously afford aspring grippingV action on theouter surfaces of the glass plates throughout a corresponding `wide range 0f varying angular .positions of the glass in cooperation with the said inner clamping member, a spring connecting member slidably contacting at itsr ends with the said. outer clamping member, and provided with an intermediate channel adapted to extend between spaced edges of thecontiguous plates of glass, and means connecting the rigid Support and the said intermediate channel for drawing the connecting member toward the rigid support for tightly spring gripping the glass throughout a wide range of varying angular positions of the glass.

13. In a store front bar for clamping and holding a pair'of window plates in angular relationship, an interior back-spring member formed with a central longitudinal channel and spring rolls on each side of said channel adapted to spring grip the interior of said plates, an interior rigid reinforcement member of substantially U- shaped cross-section engaging the longitudinal channel of said back-spring member and interlocking with it to prevent relative lateral movement between said back-spring member and said reinforcement member, with a series of perforations spaced apart and in registry with each other in said back-spring member and said reinforcement member, and a plurality of tubes extending between said perforations.

MORRIS KETCHUM, J

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of reco-rd in the le of this patent:

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